Society is about to "Boom" and I retired last August. Some seek retirement early, others put it off as long as possible. A basic question can be asked again. Who am I? And what kind of a world am I in.This blog will encourage individuals to explore the idea that "its more than just about the money". Retirement: Third Age New Beginnings

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Monday, March 12, 2012

More About Ageism

As many older persons know “…As the body ages, a multiple of physical transformations take place. Some of these, such as wrinkling of the skin and the graying of hair, are generally expected to occur for most individuals at certain points in their lives.”

My hair, what’s left of it, is grey and I have growing spaces on my face that are indented due to the tools I wear to bed to counter my sleep apnea. It’s part of the game and I sleep much better.

However,“…widespread societal perceptions of the elderly as unhealthy, characterized by physical decline and unsuitable work persist. “For example young persons in a major study, rated young individuals as more physically qualified than older people for ‘demanding’ work. In another study younger people over he age of 65 had serious health problems.

“Also, stereotypes about the imminent physical decline of older workers are also represented in language that can be herd in the workplace, some of which is beginning to appear in age discrimination lawsuits. Examples of this ageist language includes phrases such as marking time, fading fast, on the shelf, one foot in the grave and ready for the scrap heap.”

On the other hand “In contrast to widely held stereotypes that depict older workers as chronically absent and injury prone, the research literature suggests quite a different story.”

In conclusion “…societal perceptions of older workers as unhealthy, characterized by physical decline…and “ in many cases represent polar opposites to what research in these areas suggests.”

The book from which I got this information is very interesting the other chapters produced by different authors are:

Section I Chapters 1,2,3, and 4

1.Doddering But Dear: Process, Content, and Function in Stereotyping of Older persons

2.Ageism: Denying the Face of the Future

3.Implicit Ageism and

4.Social-Developmental View of Ageism

Section 2. Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8

5.Attitudes Toward Older Adults

6.Ageism in the Workplace: A Communication Perspective

7.Ageist Behavior and

8.The paradox of Well-Being, Identity Processes, and Stereotype Threat: Ageism and Its Potential Relationships to Self in Later Life

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Art With Wrinkles

Retirement Workshop

This workshop is designed for persons who are considering retirement or have already retired.While financial security is critical for retirement satisfaction and success, identity and social relationships are equally important. Retirement affects people differently. On the positive side it can mean new goals, interests, and activities. On the other end it can mean heavy stress, physical deterioration and depression.

This four-hour workshop helps participants explore attitudes and feelings about the social aspects of retirement. I am looking for organizations, either businesses or not for profit organizations that would like to sponsor this workshop.

About Me

I am a 74-year-old academic who resisted mandatory retirement for three years until the government decided to give human rights to people over the age of 65.
Over the last ten years my special interest has been aging and society. I have designed a course, Aging, which explores social relationships in later adulthood. I also conducted research on ageism in British Columbia.
This blog has been created with the assumption that while having a sufficient source of continuing income is needed, family connections, community and social involvement are equally important for a successful retirement.
This blog gives others a chance to share their stories.